Change our heart O God

I truly wish I had something to say or offer that would change what happened in Charleston. I am at a loss to understand much less speak to this act of violence that struck Emanuel AME Church. It looks like racism is a primary factor. A sacred place engaged in a sacred purpose was violently violated. I wish I could make all this go away. We need change. There are some who grasp the deep need to change systems that produce racism and violence. Please put your minds and hearts to work to effect changes that will produce deeply needed social change. There are some who are experts in providing better safely and security, especially as it relates to churches and non-profits. Please share your expertise so that basic changes may be made in how we go about our lives. There are many, many other factors. Put your heart and mind to work and make a difference. I think about what I have to offer. I am a pastor at heart. I believe faith in Jesus Christ changes our hearts. Faith does not cure all things nor make everything perfect. But I believe that faith has the greatest power and potential to changes lives and in turn change the world. A heart where Christ dwells and is actively at work will be transformed from sin to righteousness. A life prone to racist views may be changed to one who loves and celebrates one another. We in the Church are at an important point. We have brothers and sisters in Christ suffering through an unimaginable experience. Would you do some things with me. Examine your own heart. Where do you find love for God and others rising to the surface? Celebrate that grace that is in you. Where do you find a sense of entitlement, fear, anxiety or even superiority to others. Would you own that? Would you follow the example our Scriptures teach and repent of any things that might even begin to resemble sin. Put your hope and trust in Jesus Christ and ask him to change your heart and life. Once we examine our own hearts could we take new steps to put our love in action? Don't laugh at a racist joke. Look for ways to allow the Holy Spirit to help you with awkward conversations where we lovingly yet firmly challenge the anti-Christ views we encounter. Share the love of Christ with others. Be part of changing lives and changing the world. Use you heart and your mind to make a difference. We are the people of God. God wants much from us. I wish I had more to offer. I feel powerless and even useless in the face of the evil some have experienced first hand and that continues to gnaw at me. But what I have I freely offer. I offer Christ. prayerfully, steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

Last week we completed our annual conference. All pastors were appointed to continue our service to PWUMC! That certainly brings joy to each of us. Today I sat in the congregation at the 9:30 service and 11:00 NEXT. Wow, do we have some good preaching going on here! It is such a joy to be part of a great team. I did make a sacrifice today. For the first time in two or three years I played golf. I was part of a team that...did not win. But it was a good day and we enjoyed playing. Mainly this was a fund raiser for the church endowment fund. It was a good turnout for the 19th Platte Woods Golf Tournament. On another note...I pulled up to the church late in the week and saw the many trees that have been taken down. Frankly I did not feel a sense of loss when I saw the old parsonage being removed to make way for our new and expanded parking lot. But when I saw the trees...I hate to lose trees. (We had to take a dead willow tree out of our yard in the past few days!) But the good news is that our trees at church are not being lost. The Urban Lumber Company will take our trees that are being replaced. Check out their website and you will see examples of what they do with used trees. The trees that have lined our property for years will be re-purposed and provide beauty and joy for many. When our new parking lot is completed there will be other environmentally friendly landscaping. I believe everyone will be amazed. Today as we look at what is going on at church we see the beginning of new life. Looking ahead it appears pretty amazing. On yet another note...Today Cindy attended her home church in Butler where they were dedicating a new playground which her mom's memorial gifts contributed to. It was a joyful day in many places. It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too. steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

Twenty-five years ago the movie Field of Dreams was released. There is a line in the movie that has become part of our normal conversation. We have also applied the phrase to church life. You have probably guessed the phrase. "If you build it they will come." Actually that phrase comes later in the movie. The original call to Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) was a little different. He heard the voice; "If you build it HE will come." We could have a nice discussion about the relationship between father and son and how the movie speaks to the matter. We could also apply this insight to church life. Never build a church based on the idea that simply constructing something will automatically attract people. It is really not about us. It is about HIM. Build it and He will come. In the movie the Field of Dreams opened a magical way for father and son to have an amazing experience. In church life He - Jesus comes among us. Jesus offers us an amazing experience. Later in the movie Ray's daughter reminds everyone that "build it and THEY will come." This is echoed by the James Earl Jones character. "Build it and they will come." (To say nothing of one great soliloquy !) Here is the connection. Build a life, a culture, an environment or a church where Jesus is invited in and totally welcome and HE will come among us. The Living Lord Jesus has such an impact that He will attract others to the life giving faith he inspires. It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too. steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

"If you know the good you ought to do and don't do it, it is sin." That's a bit of a paraphrase of James 4:17. Today we put this in a little different light. Rather than "ought" the idea may be put in an affirming way. We might say "Do the good you know you could." The story came from a college class where the assignment was to observe a teacher in the classroom. Sometime into the class session the teacher stepped out of the room and when she did a group of students locked her out! I was there to "observe". That was my assignment. At that point I had some options regarding what to do. I could join them. Imagine the stories a group of sophomore boys would have if a college student helped them lock their teacher out of the room. A second option was to observe. That was what the assignment was. That was the expectation. Why not sit back and watch, just observe. I could then go write my paper. The other option was to open the door. I did what any of you would do. I opened the door. In reflecting on that experience I learn something. I am capable of doing the good I know I could. I am the first to admit that I have not always followed through with that. I have missed the mark. I have failed. But the capability is there. That is our message for the church today. As we look upon the world and see all the needs and injustices that seem so prevalent we have options. Will we join with those who create circumstances that oppress and harm others? Will we "observe" deciding that it is not my problem. Or will we be the people of God who open doors? Look for the door that God is opening. Look for the door to open this week. Do the good you know you could. It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too. steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

In an hour we will gather in Memorial Hall for a "de-consecration" service. About 55 years ago the first sanctuary of Platte Woods Methodist Church was opened. For around 10 years this building served as the worship space for a growing congregation. When the current sanctuary was built the first sanctuary became "Memorial Hall". It has served the people of God well in a variety of ways through the years. The last few years has seen Memorial Hall used for worship services. We have conducted memorial services here. There have also been some weddings. Each week Memorial Hall has been used for Sunday School class meetings. Youth ministry has been conducted in Memorial Hall following some significant remodeling a few years past. Other uses include regular exercise classes. The space has been used as a voting precinct. We have hosted many meals in Memorial Hall. Staff meetings have been held in this space. There have been graduation parties and various kinds of receptions. Over the years Memorial Hall has become a great multi-purpose space. This evening we will gather and remember the great experiences in this place. A "de-consecration" does not negate anything that has taken place here. It simply says thank you for being a vehicle for ministry over many years. Buildings may be somewhat like life. We grow and develop during childhood. Changes take place during our teenage years. We move into young adulthood, middle age and maturity. Each stage of life builds on the former. Together a life is made. Memorial Hall has made a huge contribution to the development and growth of Platte Woods United Methodist Church. Many memories but even more anticipation of God's future. It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too. steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

We had a blessed day at church today. Always good to join together for Mother's Day. Our game went well. Amazing how many women had the things we were asking for in their purse! This week I was with a group from our church at a conference in Atlanta. One session posed the question; "What would a great leader do?" Many insights. I put what I learned to practice. Evidently we need to replace a filter on our refrigerator. We noticed some water dripping from the refrigerator onto the floor. I ask, what would a great husband do? He would soak up the water (at least some of it) from the floor. Question 2; what would a great wife do? She would fix the problem! It was good to recognize women and especially mother's present in church today. Happy Mother's Day. On another note... As an off hand remark today I mentioned that 10 youth will be going to Honduras this summer. They will work with the poor and help with a construction project. They will contribute toward changing a life which in turn may change another, and another, and another. This is how we contribute toward changing the world! I mentioned that not everyone can go to Honduras but why not sponsor one of these youth? I actually had a family say we want to sponsor one and if you need it we will do two! That made my day. It's been a great day. I hope you've had a great day too. steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

In the midst of everything else that was taking place in church this weekend - Honduras Mission Trip breakfast, announcements about name tags, communion, worship, preaching, classes - the normal things done on a weekend. We also recognized graduates. Our high school seniors are busy finishing up school. They are preparing for graduation. They are having their graduation parties. They are anticipating their next steps in life. The next steps are really significant. Graduation is a great accomplishment but it does not mark a stopping point in life. Graduation is a step along the way. There is much more to come. I hope we make the connection between this attitude and the Christian life. We have Christian experiences. We may mark our baptism. Perhaps we are confirmed. Maybe we experience a sense of call. There may be a new, fresh insight. Each season and each day of our Christian life is fresh and new. There are new experiences that bring us encouragement and direction. Whatever the momentary experience may be we are not finished. When we become a Christian we do not check that off our "to do" list for spiritual things and go on about the business of life. We become new. We become a living, growing spiritual entity. Following Jesus takes us to new places regularly. Following Jesus leads us in an adventure of serving and loving God and others. It is a life that does not stop. We find a continuing flow of the Spirit into our lives that transforms and creates life day by day. It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too. steve